Local MP calls for fairer deal for Hull’s private renters

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has backed Labour plans for a better deal for those renting their homes privately.

One of the biggest causes of the cost of living crisis in our country is the price of renting or buying a home. That’s why a Labour government will make sure that Britain builds 200,000 more homes a year by the end of the next Parliament so that more families can fulfil their dream of home ownership.

Nine million people are living in rented homes today, over a million families, and over two million children. With tenants in Hull facing rip-off fees from lettings agents and insecure tenancies, Labour has announced the biggest change in a generation to make the system fairer for renters.

The next Labour government will ban letting agents’ fees for tenants, saving renters on average £350 in costs, and will legislate to make three year tenancies the standard in the British private rented sector to give people who rent the certainty they need.

Diana Johnson MP said: “Around 23,000 families – one in five of all local households - rent privately in Hull, a number that has risen over the past decade.

“These households are often worried about the prospect that their rent could jump by a big amount from one year to the next. They want to be able to settle down, put down roots and have peace of mind.

“While the Coalition Government refuses to act, a Labour Government will give families the security of a longer tenancy and predictable rents to stop excessive rises. Then they can manage tight family finances and plan ahead.

“If you buy your home, most estate agents will not charge you fees, but people in Hull who rent are given no protection and they get charged £350 on average. That’s a lot of money for many people and that’s why Labour will legislate to ban these rip-off charges by letting agents.”